The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has been hosting community meetings this week about two major topics. (File photo/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

potential changes

Expansion of Treaty eligibility discussed at recent LLRIB meetings

Jan 7, 2026 | 5:19 PM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) is gathering feedback on potential changes to the Indian Act, which could widen the eligibility for those who qualify for Treaty status.

Last month, a federal senate committee voted in favour of eliminating the current second generation cut off and instead replace it with a one-parent rule. For decades, Treaty status was determined based on the 6(1) or 6(2) classification of individuals, meaning if at least two generations of band members have children with non-status people, the third generation would effectively lose any Treaty rights.

If the one-parent rule eventually becomes law, that means Treaty status can be passed on to any descendants as long as one parent has status.

“That’s what we are proposing to our communities and it’s something that we want to support. So far, there has been a lot of support for that,” said LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, who noted 30 per cent (or more than 3,700 band members) are currently classified as 6(2)s.

“Our population would increase, but the children would have a sense of belonging too. Right now, because of policy with Indigenous Services Canada, they are not able to become our band members, but with the one-parent rule, our descendants will become part of our Treaty nation and have Treaty rights.”

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Also at the meetings, the LLRIB is discussing potentially changing the way the band membership list is compiled. The band currently operates under Section 11 of the Indian Act, meaning Indigenous Services Canada decides who makes it on the list and who doesn’t.

Cook-Searson added the federal government has asked the LLRIB to discuss with members about potentially operating under Section 10 and taking control of their membership list.

“We don’t have our own membership code, so we are not under Section 10 for our band membership list,” she said.

Only a handful of First Nations in Canada operate under Section 10. In order to make the change, at least 50 per cent of eligible voters need to participate in the vote.

While most of the meetings are now complete, two more meetings will be held in Prince Albert and Saskatoon on Monday. The meeting in Prince Albert is from noon to 2 p.m. at the Days Inn Conference Centre and the meeting in Saskatoon is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel’s banquet room.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com